JOSEPH HAYDN (1732-1809) 

 

Songs

 

CD1

1. O Tuneful Voice

2. The Mermaid’s Song

Hob XXVIa:25 (1794) 

3. Recollection

4. A Pastoral Song

Hob XXVIa:27 (1794) 

5. Despair

6. Pleasing Pain

7. Fidelity

8. She never told her love

9. Sailor's Song

Hob XXVIa:31 (1794/95) 

10. The Wanderer

11. Sympathy Hob XXVIa:33

12. The Spirit's Song

13. Piercing Eyes

Hob XXVIa:35 

14. Content Hob XXVIa:36

15. The Lady’s Looking-Glass

 

CD2

1. Pensi a me sì fido amante

2. Un tetto umil

3. Das strickende Mädchen

4. Cupido

5. Der erste Kuß

6. Eine sehr gewöhnliche Geschichte

7. Die Verlassene

8. Als einst mit Weibes Schönheit

9. Der Gleichsinn

10. An Iris

11. An Thyrsis

12. Trost unglucklicher Liebe

13. Die Landlust

14. Liebeslied

15. Die zu späte Ankunft der Mutter

16. Der schlaue und dienstfertige Pudel

 

CD3

1. Bald wehen uns des Frühlings Lüfte

2. Trachten will ich nicht auf Erden

3. Jeder meint, der Gegenstand

4. Lachet nicht, Mädchen

5. O liebes Mädchen, höre mich

6. Gegenliebe

7. Geistliches Lied

8. Auch die Sprödeste der Schönen

9. O fließ, ja wallend fließ in Zähren

10. Zufriedenheit

11. Das Leben ist ein Traum

12. Lob der Faulheit

13. Minna

14. Auf meines Vaters Grab

15. Beim Schmerz, der dieses Herz durchwühlet

16. Abschiedslied

17. Gott erhalte den Kaiser!

 

Elly Ameling - soprano

Jorg Demus - fortepiano

 

Haydn’s lieder is sadly often relegated to the opening ‘warm-up’ sections of recitals, or, even worse, totally neglected. This is a pity, for as collectors of Brilliant Classics cycle of all his Scottish Songs will know, there is much wit, warm humour and not a little drama to found in these gems. The songs on this CD span 1781-95, and the first two sets were written for the Viennese socialite Franz Sales von Greiner, who regularly advised Haydn on the choice of texts. The third set is probably the best known works in this programme. The ‘English Canzonettas’ were written for Haydn’s friend Lady Anne Hunter, the widow of eminent surgeon Sir John Hunter. Anne provided the texts for the first group, and one for the second. Haydn turned to Metastasio for the remainder. The ‘Pastoral Song’ became a firm favourite with the Victorians, and was a parlour song ‘hit’.

 

These Philips recording have long been unavailable: here they make a welcome return to the catalogue.

 

‘Those who love them [Haydn’s songs], and love Elly Ameling, will not be disappointed in this generous recital…Ameling’s skill lies in her precise judgement of their scale…Jorg Demus’s accompanying is half the fun: he makes the keys speak as clearly and sweetly as any fortepiano…’ Gramophone

 

Full sung texts and booklet notes

 

Brilliant Classics 3cds 93768